by Johnny Moore at Love Lane
A goal in each half saw Pompey Academy beat non-league Petersfield Town at Love Lane.
Strikes from Chinedu Vine (pictured) and James Jennings gave Paul Smalley’s side a comfortable victory in a game they dominated.
Pompey should have taken the lead in the opening moments but Billy Tsovolos fired wide after being found in the box by Ryan Williams.
The Blues were applying plenty of early pressure and Carl Walshe shot just past the post on five minutes.
A poor clearance from Lloyd Bastila soon presented another opportunity but Vine’s weak shot gave the Petersfield keeper the chance to atone for his mistake and make a comfortable save.
Still Pompey kept pouring forward and Williams shot narrowly over the crossbar before Lewis Stockford fired wide.
But it was the hosts who had the ball in the back of the net on 31 minutes, although Keith Martin’s free-kick was ruled out after the referee spotted an infringement.
Instead it was the Blues who took the lead when VINE’s shot flew into the net despite the best efforts of Bastila to keep it out.
Williams could have doubled Pompey’s advantage but he dithered after being fed by James Seeley, allowing Bastila to dive at his feet and claim the ball.
Half Time: Petersfield 0 Pompey 1
Petersfield had plenty of the ball at the start of the second half without ever troubling Matt Gledhill in the Pompey goal.
Blues substitute Patrick Antelmi should have put Pompey further ahead midway through the second half but took too long to line up his shot and the chance was snuffed out.
Gledhill had been a virtual spectator but did well to fight his way through a host of bodies to claim a Petersfield free-kick.
Pompey then sealed victory on 70 minutes when Andrew Higgins found JENNINGS, who confidently thumped the ball into the top corner.
Some rare confusion in the Blues box presented Petersfield with the chance to grab a late consolation but Robbie Warwick failed to guide his header on target.
After the game Smalley said: “It was a good workout for us against a physical side and we’re pleased to get the victory.”
Pompey: Gledhill, Tallack (Wheeler 55), Bennett, Magri, Grant, Williams, Tsovolos (Fitzharris 55), Stockford (Higgins 46), Vine (Jennings 55), Seeley (Antelmi 46), Walshe (Harris 55)
Petersfield: Bastila, Price, Bichard (Ro.Warwick 61), Ri.Warwick, Sibanda (Sheehan 46), Parke (Dolo 61), Bishop (Jones 61), Baker, Thomas (Parker 46), Grant, Martin
Referee: Mike Desborough